How to Tie a Wet Knot

Wet knots add strength to fishing line and are hard to untie. The concept behind wet knots means simply to dampen the line before tying the knot to boost its flexibility. Tying a palomar knot, for example, is enhanced by making it wet. A palomar knot is a reliable tie for fishermen. The knot helps preserve over 95 percent of the line's overall strength, while a standard double knot preserves only 50 percent. Practice wet knot tying on spare line before committing to a hook and rod.

Things You'll Need

  • Fishing line
  • Hook
  • Needle nose pliers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wet the bottom 8 inches of line with saliva. Rub the saliva over the entire surface of the line until it is totally wet.

    • 2

      Bend and pinch the line together at the 4-inch mark to form a bight.

    • 3

      Slide the bight through the eyelet of the hook. Wrap the bight over the remaining fold of line to create a circle of line just above the eyelet. Pull the bight up, under and through the circle. Pinch the base of the circle to hold all of the line in place.

    • 4

      Spread the bight out and make it wide. Slip the widened bight loop over the curve of the hook. Push the bight loop back down until it is flush with the eyelet.

    • 5

      Re-wet to reduce the line temperature, and proceed with Step six.

    • 6

      Pull the free end of line, while holding the bight loop in place, until the bight and overall knot tightens. Pinch the free end with a pair of needle nose pliers, if necessary, to complete a tight and successful pull. Snip off excess line on the free end.